An account of the wildlife I come across and hopefully pictures to bring the account closer

Sunday, 8 July 2012

Sunday 8th. July 2012

Spent the morning processing pictures , as the rain was torrential at times , and with a certain race and match this afternoon , might not get out at all today . As it happens , we had even heavier showers this afternoon , so just a few shots that never made it to recent posts , before they get filed away .

The incredible length of this Small Skipper's proboscis , the hollow tube through which butterflies feed , reaching deep into the flower for the nectar . When not in use , it is curled up .

A juvenile Grey Squirrel , as it foraged for food in a glade at High Elms .

What I believe to be Ichneumon suspiciosus , but stand to be corrected .

An interesting spider , found whilst at Dene Park . Many thanks to Greg , a female Wolf Spider of the Pardosa species . Initially I thought it might be the mate of the female Nursery-web Spider , photographed with her eggs , but digging , it doesn't seem so , so will need more digging .

Won't be long before the Broad-leaved Helleborines , like this one at High Elms , will be in flower .

Just a few Common Lizards were found along the boardwalk at Thursley Common , usually there are lots , but they need the sun out to bask . The top specimen has flattened it's body , so there is more surface area , and will warm up quicker .

A Small Scabious / Scabiosa columbaria , fully open on the visit to Lullingstone Country Park for the Dark Green Fritillaries . All specimens of it's relation , Field Scabious , were still in tight bud .

It was good to see at least 5 Commas on the visit to Dene Park , even though disappointed with not finding other target species .
And finally , the main reason for this post was so that Phil / Sharp by Nature would be able to sleep tonight , by me naming the single flower posted on last night's post . In the end I didn't have to , as it

was correctly identified by ShySongbird / ShySongbird's Nature News , as Wood Sage . I have got to admit , that if someone else had posted the picture , I don't think I would have got it . Very well done ShySongbird , and if there had been a big money prize , it would be in the post .

Oh, my goodness!!! I'm grinning from ear to ear :-) I really didn't think I'd got it. The big money prize would have been great but I'll take the glory instead :-)

Lovely photos of the Small Skipper and young Squirrel and also those gorgeous Common Lizards. Unfortunately, I never see them anywhere! You do put some interesting snippets such as the detail about the first one flattening it's body to warm up faster.

Greenie. Nice selection of wildlife photo's. The Small Skipper's proboscis is quite something.As for the other insect I have had a look through my books, and I reckon your right on, i'm no expert but I also think it is a Ichneumon suspiciosus.